As the world teeters on the brink of its hottest year in history, global leaders, business moguls, celebrities, and activists have gathered in Manhattan for Climate Week and the United Nations’ Climate Action Summit.
The annual event, which coincides with the commencement of the United Nations General Assembly, aims to refocus global attention on the escalating climate crisis.
The summit, scheduled for Wednesday, will be hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The high-profile event is designed to reinvigorate commitment to the Paris climate agreement goals and inspire governments to adopt new, robust measures to combat climate change.
Selwin Hart, special adviser on climate to the secretary-general, expressed hope that the summit would serve as a catalyst for action. “There is lingering doubt that … we can meet our climate goals. There is too much backtracking; so we’re really hoping that this summit can be used as a moment to inspire people,” he said.
The summit precedes the COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates by just 10 weeks.
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It represents one of the final opportunities for countries to present new climate actions and plans to transition away from fossil fuels. This comes after recent meetings of the G7, G20, and BRICs countries failed to secure an agreement to phase out fossil fuels.
The Alliance of Small Island States, comprising nearly 40 members, plans to use Climate Week as a platform to urge developed countries to intensify efforts to eliminate fossil fuel usage and support the global expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind, geothermal, and solar power.
Climate Week has also attracted the attention of climate protestors, who are demanding an end to government inaction and industry greenwashing. As many as 75,000 activists marched through Manhattan on Sunday, calling for an end to fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, hundreds more planned disruptive action near Wall Street on Monday to demand an end to fossil fuel financing.
Romain Ioualalen, global diplomacy manager at Oil Change International, a non-governmental organisation focused on phasing out fossil fuel production told Reuters, “We’ve had enough false promises, greenwashing, and half measures. Countries must deliver by coming to the Summit with clear plans to immediately end oil and gas expansion and policies for a fast and fair phase out of all fossil fuels.”
Around 2,600 people have registered for in-person attendance at Climate Week events, which will feature over 200 speakers from the private sector, governments, and non-governmental organizations.
